RP kisses AFC U-16 Qualifier hopes goodbye

Outplayed and outclassed in all departments, Team Philippines Under-16 football squad formally bid their hopes for securing a slot in next year’s AFC U16 Championships set in Nepal goodbye as they suffered a devastating 0-9 loss against Indonesia in the Group E Qualifiers of the AFC event yesterday at the Panaad Stadium football pitch in Brgy. Mansilingan, Bacolod City.
Once again, the Filipinos’ lack of training and exposure to international matches was evident on how they launched their attacks against the well-prepared Indons.
Sharing his technical analysis on the match, assistant coach John Carmona admitted that Indonesia is not only physically fit but they had better preparations.
“We lost to Indonesia in a match of endurance. It was evident that the Indonesians were physically fit for this Qualifiers,” Carmona said.
He added that what the RP Team needs is a system of good and early preparation.
As rain clouds darkened the Pana-ad skies, a near own goal a couple of minutes into the game cast a spell of gloom and doom for the hapless RP XI as keeper Christopher Nicholas Camcam fumbled with the ball.
While Camcam managed to execute a couple of impressive saves, as the Indons started attacking the goal, his skills was no match against the rampaging Robin Bagus Febrian who acutely followed up a missed stab to register Indonesia’s first goal.
From then on, it was an all-Indonesia show in the first half as Purwa Putra added his own two goals while Hendriko Masko Kiwak and Hadi Wibowo scored one apiece for a 5-0 first half blitz.
Negrense Melecio Manuel Mentor’s attempt midway in the second half was the only bright spot for the RP XI as the Indons dominated the entire game for a 0-9 victory, unmindful of the heavy downpour.
“We need more matches for the boys, both local and international. Despite the loss, we are motivating them to give their best in our last game against Bangladesh tomorrow. The team should improve its overall performance,” coach Carmona said.

Source : Visayan Daily Star -